We will be accepting Credit/Debit cards for ticket purchases by phone and in the office.Office Hours:M-F 9am-12pm & 1pm -5pmOffice Phone830-775-9595

"Bobby Paul, 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding wishes to thank Ram Country and Ram Rodeo Series for making the event the most attended professional sports attraction annually for over 22 years. Without such superior backing and sponsorship, events such as the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding would not be possible".

Harris wins Del Rio XBulls Division 1 event

DEL RIO, Texas – J.W. Harris knows what it takes to be a PRCA world champion.

The Goldthwaite, Texas, cowboy has won four world titles – 2008-2010 and 2013 – and he wants to capture No. 5.

To reach that goal, Harris plans on making a push starting now – and he gave his plight a jolt at the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bulls Division 1 event.

Harris won the average at the two-day event – April 27-28 – with 179.5 points on two head.

“I did what I could do, and I was happy to see it hold up,” Harris said. “It was really cool to win this event.”

The event is held in honor of ProRodeo Hall of Fame bull rider George Paul. Paul, who was inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1979, once made qualified rides on 79 bulls in a row. In 1968, he won the world bull riding championship. A pilot who owned his own airplane, Paul was killed while flying between rodeos in Colorado and Wyoming on July 30, 1970, cutting short what surely would have been a brilliant career. Bobby Paul, George’s brother, is the event producer.

Harris made both his rides April 27 – he started with a superb, 89-point ride on 4L & Diamond S’s Floating Fury and then clinched the victory with a 90.5-point ride on Rafter G’s J Lazy in the short round.

“My first bull was a young bull that didn’t have a whole lot of outs at rodeos and the flankman Scott Pickens told me he was good, and he sure was good,” Harris said. “He bucked, and he was a lot of fun to ride. My short round bull had been to the NFR. I had never been on him before, but he was like he always is. He went out there and bucked the best he could, and he gave me a shot at it. It felt really good to get those two scores.”

Garrett Smith won Round 2 at the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with an 87-point ride on J Lazy.

Harris was sitting 32nd in the latest RAM PRCA World Standings with $14,731 but will move up after earning $15,020 in Del Rio.

“I feel good and I’m riding good,” Harris said. “We’re getting into the summer, so it is time to start rockin’ and rollin’.”

Harris has competed on a limited schedule during PRCA’s winter run so he could focus on his family.

“My kids (daughter and son) have been playing softball and T-Ball, and I have been trying to make sure I’m home for them because we are coaching both of their teams,” Harris said. “For the most part I’ve been sticking close to home and they each only have one game left, so now it will be rodeo time.”

Harris’ daughter, Aubrey, is 7 and his son, Dillon, is 5. J.W. and his wife, Jackie, share coaching duties with their children’s softball and baseball squads.

“That was a big reason why I came back to rodeoing, because I could make my own schedule and not miss anything that my kids are doing, and it has been good,” said Harris, 31. “I’m shooting to win a world championship. If that’s not what you’re shooting for, I don’t know why you would do it. You just need to get there (to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo). I feel like every time I show up I have a chance and that’s the approach I’m going to take at it.”

For more coverage of the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bulls Division 1 event, check out the May 4 edition of the ProRodeo Sports News.

World Champions, top PRCA/Xtreme Bulls Tour set to compete at 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding this weekend.

Some of the list of who’s who will compete for the most revered buckle in the world of bull riding are included in this article. The famed and popular Lane Frost said “the three most important trophy buckles on a bull rider’s belt are the PRCA Bull Riding World Championship, the National Finals Rodeo Championship and the George Paul Memorial Championship”. Riders who will sleep in Del Rio motels will come from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North and South Dakota, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and of course, Texas. Contestants from Canada represent Alberta and Saskatchewan. Multiple Wrangler National Finals qualification are represented in the list of 80 riders competing this year. Four past George Paul Championships are represented.

Trey Benton III has three George Paul Championships and will compete this year and try to be the only bull rider in the world to win a forth George Paul title. But the list of competitors, that include three World Champions, will also be earning points that count for a qualification to be among the top 15 in the world for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December where the 2018 PRCA Bull Riding World Championship will be settled. As the ad says, “but that’s not all”. As a PRCA sanctioned standalone bull riding Xtreme Bulls Tour event, the points earned also count for the Xtreme Bulls Tour 2018 Championship in Ellensberg, WA which also count for a WNFR top 15 position and PRCA Bull Riding World Championship.

The three PRCA World Champions are Shane Proctor, J.W. Harris, a past George Paul winner and four-time PRCA World Champion and currently number one bull rider in the world, Sage Kimzey.

Forty different riders will compete each night of the two performances with the top 10 qualifying for the short round at each performance. The highest score on two bulls from both nights wins the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding 2018 title and a big piece of the $30,000 plus prize money.

The nail biting action will feature the top bulls from four different stock contractors. Lead stock contractor, Jim Gay of Rafter G Rodeo Company and he has included 4L/Diamond S Rodeo, Summerville, GA, Pickett Pro Rodeo, Fairfield, TX and United Pro Rodeo, Palestine, TX, who bring their WNFR qualified bulls which have appeared at such rodeos recently as the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo, San Antonio Rodeo and other top national PRCA rodeos.

Riders making appearances include the following:

NamePRCA RankingXtreme Bulls Tour Raking

Sage Kimzey13

Trey Benton III32

Dustin Boquet513

Clayton Sellers611

Tyler Bingham723

Garrett Tribble8

Tristan Mize925

Brady Pontenier10

Chase Dougherty1233

Lane Nobles134

Boudreaux Campbell1416

Eli Vastbinder159

The list above is only part of the top fifteen trying to win a WNFR position and PRCA World Championship. Several top 15 riders are out due to injury. Standings may change due to multiple rodeos concluding this past weekend. To see current PRCA standings go to ProRodeo.com and click on standings. You can also see the Xtreme Bulls Tour standings by clicking on the Xtreme Bulls Tour icon at the ProRodeo web site. Note the correlation between PRCA standings and how significant the Xtreme Bulls Tour points count for a WNFR qualification and eventual PRCA bull riding world championship.

The battle continues between Sage Kimzey and Trey Benton III for a PRCA Bull Riding World Championship just where it left off when the WNFR ended in December. Kimzey won the World Championship when he rode his tenth and final bull at the WNFR and Benton bucked off. The last go-round, last bull of ten at the WNFR determined the forth world title for Kimzey and the oh-so-close loss for Benton. The current rankings have Kimzey at number one and Benton at number two so the battle continues at the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding this Friday and Saturday night. Later this week the bull and rider match ups and you can count on one thing. No ride will be easy. If your not in your seat at the oldest continuous bull riding in the world you are the only one missing.

Title sponsor Ram Country Del Rio and Ram Rodeo Series areback for their 22nd year and Ram Rodeo Series is a national sponsor of the PRCA. Presenting sponsor is the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Others include Bud Light, Tractor Supply, Ramada Inn as the host hotel, Studio 6, The Whitehorse Lounge, HEB and the City of Del Rio.

Tickets may be purchased at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office, 2006 N. Main at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds or by calling the bull riding office at 830-775-9595. Discover, Master Card, Visa and debit cards will be accepted.

Check out updates for the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding at www.georgepaulmemorialbullriding.com.

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TWO SECRETARIES. DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS. XTREME PRESSURE.

The 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding could not function without two secretaries who have different jobs, different functions but have Xtreme pressure.

Eva Chadwick, PRCA rodeo and bull riding secretary from Scottsdale, AZ has the responsibility of making sure all PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour riders pay entry fees, receive custom made George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding back numbers for the 40 different riders who compete each performance and, when the event is over Saturday night, ensures winners get their paychecks. And that’s not all. Not that difficult you may think for a two-day event however, you would be wrong.

Chadwick, in early February finished as secretary for the Southwestern Stock Show and Rodeo’s 35 performance rodeo including combined special events like a two-day Xtreme Bulls Tour event. Over 1,000 contestants enter the Fort Worth rodeo. Her days start early at 6 AM and end after the last performance each day at approximately 10:15. She then begins working on the next day’s performances which at Fort Worth has two to three performances a day. Duties entail paying day monies, go-round payouts, being an ambassador and traffic controller for the event dealing with stock contractors, rodeo committee members, contract members, rodeo judges and of course contestants as well as anyone connected to the sport of rodeo at Fort Worth. She also had to be sure program day sheet and judge’s sheets are correct, makes changes because contestants have been injured, encounter travel problems (while working other rodeos or simply drew out due to emergencies like babies being born) or other issues. Daily communication with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Assn. giving rodeo updates on leader changes or other information vital to the PRCA has to be transmitted on a daily, sometimes minute by minute basis.She continuously deals with contestants, the rodeo producer and sub-stock contractors, stock handlers, rodeo announcers, clowns and bull fighters, and timers which require constant updates as well as making additional announcer performance sheets and guides for the staff working the rodeo. The needs of the press can be a challenge as they often show up just before a performance begins or immediately after the performance’s conclusion, the most stressful times for a rodeo secretary, and want a lot of information to meet their deadline.

Chadwick in addition to being a PRCA rodeo secretary, also serves on the PRCA Contract Personnel Executive Council as the secretaries and timer’s representative. She constantly takes calls from other secretaries and times who have suggestions on how to make their jobs more efficient and who have ideas about rules changes that will make the sport, or their jobs more productive. The CPEC represents contract acts, laborers, photographers, announcers, music directors, clowns and bullfighters. Just because she represents secretaries and timers doesn’t mean she doesn’t field calls from other CPEC representatives. The CPEC has 12 to 15 meetings a year, usually on Tuesdays or Wednesdays by phone due to travel schedules and, the committee meets face to face at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo each December.

Since becoming a rodeo secretary in 1991, Chadwick has “seen it all and heard it all”. When questioned, “What do bull riding contestants ask the most?” she laughed when she replied, “it’s not what you would think”. “It usually is do I have to wear my back number or, where can I charge my cell phone or is there a hospitality center?”Secretaries as a group, she believes, would want the public to know that they follow the rules of the PRCA and have a great deal of integrity and insist on accuracy in the collecting of judge’s data and paying out prize money and, monitoring the piles of paper work secretaries have to deal with. Additionally, Chadwick and all her member secretaries wish list includes a sturdy weather proof office, sufficient power to handle computers, printers, cell phones as well as AC and lighting, things that office secretaries don’t usually have to consider. The general public would be surprised at the working conditions at some rodeos which include dust storms, rain storms, snow, lightening, gale force winds and tornados with little protection and insufficient power for all electronic needs.

Working 12 to 15 rodeo events annually still allows Chadwick, when home in Scottsdale, to work as a realtor with an active schedule representing buyers and sellers and taking care of family needs.

What strikes anyone who comes in contact with the on-the-go lady is she does all that comes her way with a smile and unflustered demeanor. No matter whatever she chose to do, she would be the calm person to deal with in the eye of the storm. Eva is the model of decorum and professionalism. If you have a chance to meet her, please welcome her on her first trip to Del Rio and the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding.Her family consists of one son, Guy. 23, an Army Cavalry Scout stationed in Germany and daughter Josee, 21, a college junior majoring in biology and fashion design. Husband Paul has been a rodeo contestant and works as a banker as a commercial lender, but still judges rodeos and has been a part of professional rodeo for many years. It’s no wonder that she is so accomplished when asked when dealing with others what can you do for me rather, “What can I do for your event to make it better and easier for you”, the mark of a true professional. Being a person who displays calm demeanor who is an ambassador for the sport of rodeo and elected to the CPEC Council and working two-week long rodeos like Fort Worth indicates why Jim Gay of Rafter G Rodeo selected her to secretary the fabled 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding. Just in case you may have wondered, Eva Chadwick is driving from Scottsdale to Del Rio, 900 miles, and then driving to Kansas for a family reunion and then to the next event. Not a job for the weak hearted.

Martha Mitchell Bass runs the office for the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and she too wears multiple hats for the event. From dealing with long time box and ticket buyers to first time attendees, she makes sure to answer all their myriad of questions and makes all feel they have known her forever. Showing seating locations, answering phone calls (hundreds) before, during and after the event she too has seen it all and heard it all. Almost no one can come to the George Paul without meeting Martha at some point.

Martha prepares and mails out letters annually to sponsors, box holders and attendees. She sends out invoices for sponsors, mails out tickets and passes, does the detail work for the bull riding program and poster layout, runs to the bank and post office and keeps event producer Bobby Paul on schedule.Additionally, she also provides information, pictures, submitted articles and updates to the George Paul Memorial website and Facebook page plus answers questions from those who monitor the website. Constantly in motion Martha scours the arena to make sure the arena is “dressed” for the performances, assists with sponsor placement of signs, and does whatever needs to be done.

The oldest continuous bull riding in the world cannot function without volunteers which Martha helps supervise as the performances near. There is a great deal to be done for Del Rio’s biggest entertainment and sports event of the year where motels fill up the week of the two-day bull riding. Eleven years of experience with the George Paul, she knows what needs and has to be done long before the first chute gate opens and the last bull is bucked.

During performances she keeps a close check on volunteers, box holders, sponsors and attendees and addresses any problems that may arise. The two days of the event she is the first to arrive and the last one to lock the gate. She is quick to point out that she sees little of her husband Jerry and their six children, Shanna, Clint, Mikeal, Ryan, Bradley and Lindsey or their 14 grandchildren for several weeks before the event.

Following the final performanceMartha checks to be sure the arena and bucking chute signs are stored, the office cleaned out and prepares for work to begin for the 42nd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Martha Mitchell Bass and Eva Chadwick are two professionals and part of a team that ensures that what the fans see and enjoy goes off without a hitch. Without these two professionals there would be unlimited chaos.

Title sponsor Ram Country Del Rio and Ram Rodeo Series areback for their 22nd year and Ram Rodeo Series is a national sponsor of the PRCA. Presenting sponsor is the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Others include Bud Light, Tractor Supply, Ramada Inn as the host hotel, Studio 6, The Whitehorse Lounge and HEB.

Tickets may be purchased at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office, 2006 N. Main at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds or by calling the bull riding office at 830-775-9595. Discover, Master Card, Visa and debit cards will be accepted.

Check out updates for the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding at www.georgepaulmemorialbullriding.com.

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WHY EXTREME BULLS TOUR IS IMPORTANT FOR A PRCA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding, April 27-28 could determine the next PRCA world champion bull rider. In looking at the top ten Xtreme Bulls Tour standings as of March 14, consider the following.

Sage Kimzey, the number one ranked PRCA bull rider is currently ranked number 3 in the Xtreme Bulls Tour. Kimzey has won $78,498 for the year in PRCA rodeos and Xtreme Bull Riding events. Of that total amount, he has won $26,300 at Xtreme Tour Bull riding events. That means 33.5% of his winnings this year have been at Xtreme Bulls Tour events. Trevor Kashner has won a total of $57,241 at rodeos and Xtreme events but, $21,200 has been won at Xtreme Bulls Tour events making Xtreme Bulls Tour events 37% of his winnings.

Three-time George Paul champion Trey Benton III has won $51,130 at PRCA rodeos and Xtreme Bulls Tour events but, of that total, $28,033 is Xtreme Bulls Tour event winnings or 54.8% of his total so far. Now you get the picture. There are approximately 48 Xtreme Bulls Tour events and 600 plus PRCA rodeos for 2018. The 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding is now a PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour event and is one of only seven Division 1 Xtreme Bulls Tour events of the approximately 48 Xtreme Bulls Tour events for 2018. Division 1 is designated by adding more prize money than Division 2 events. Considerably more money. Bobby Paul, producer of the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding was determined to be a Division 1 event ranked with Fort Worth, San Antonio, Fort Mohave AZ and Ellensburg Washington, where the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finals are held. Why add more prize money some have asked? Because as the oldest continuous bull riding in the world Paul wants the best professional PRCA bull riders coming to Del Rio and prize money guarantees that.

The historic event that honors his brother George, the 1968 RCA world champion bull rider, National Finals winner and world record holder of riding 79 bulls in a row. Bobby Paul is excited to be aligned with the PRCA once again as the professional rodeo association where George won his world championship and set a world record.

Rafter G Rodeo Company of Terrell, Texas is the lead stock contractor owned and managed by Neal Gay and his son Jim Gay. Rafter G Rodeo has been in the professional rodeo business since 1957, 61 years and, pioneered televised professional rodeo with the weekly airing of Mesquite Championship Rodeo. Rafter G Rodeo is the chief contractor of the famous thirty-three performance Southwestern Stock Show and Rodeo and has been for thirty plus years and, does it all with a hand shake. That’s right, no written contract. They also produce multiple PRCA rodeos during the year and Jim Gay has said, “We, our family and employees are extremely excited to be part of the historic George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding and look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends in Del Rio”.

You are invited to follow along to view the weekly updates on the current PRCA standings by going to Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and weekly updates of the Xrteme Bulls Tour standings by going to PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour on your search engine.

If you are not in your seat at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds you’re the only one missing.

Title sponsor Ram Country Del Rio and Ram Rodeo Series are back for their 22nd year and Ram Rodeo Series is a national sponsor of the PRCA. Presenting sponsor is the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Others include Bud Light, Tractor Supply, Ramada Inn as the host hotel, Studio 6, The Whitehorse Lounge and HEB.

The event will be streamed on ProRodeoTV.com adding nationwide and international recognition for the event, Del Rio and Val Verde County.

$30,000 added money for the contestants will ensure the best bull riders in the world will be in Del Rio, April 27-28 for the 8PM nightly performances.

Tickets may be purchased at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office, 2006 N. Main at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds or by calling the bull riding office at 830-775-9595. Discover, Master Card, Visa and debit cards will be accepted.

Check out updates for the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding at www.georgepaulmemorialbullriding.com.

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41ST GEORGE PAUL MEMORIAL XTREME BULL RIDING IS A PRCA DIVISION 1 XTREME BULLS TOUR EVENT AND WHAT THAT MEANS

April 27-28 ushers in a new era for the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding. Many years ago, the George Paul was held on a Sunday afternoon after a three day PRCA rodeo. The invitational event hosted many PRCA world champions and National Finals Rodeo qualifiers. The birth of PBR in 1992 started when bull riders competing in the stand alone George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, since 1978, realized that bull riding as a single event format would attract large paying crowds. The GPMBR was an original member of the 13 event PBR and was televised on the TNN network.

Years later, the GPMBR moved to BRO, Bull Riders Only, for one year, then back to the PBR and in 2008 to CBR, Championship Bull Riding.

The 41st GPMBR has moved to the PRCA, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and Xtreme Bulls Tour schedule because of changes in the PRCA. Those changes include the recognition that a standalone bull riding tour within the PRCA with dollars won counting towards a Wrangler National Finals qualification and a PRCA bull riding world championship are necessary to compete with current sports trends. PBR and CBR were attracting some of the brightest and biggest bull riding stars to compete, the PRCA realized that a bull riding tour within the PRCA was not just a good idea but, a necessity.

With 40 plus Xtreme Bulls Tour events scheduled this year, it’s easy to understand that the PRCA recognized the importance of standalone bull riding within its competitive rodeo structure.

Being a Division 1 Xtreme Bull Riding Tour event is important. Why? There are only six Division 1 events out of the 40 plus scheduled Xtreme Bulls Tour events in 2018. The 41st GPMBR ranks with Fort Worth, San Antonio, Fort Mohave, AZ., Reno, NV. and Ellensburg, WA. as the top echelon of Xtreme Bulls Tour events. That’s very exciting company for Del Rio, TX. So, thank Bobby Paul for the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding traveling in such impressive company. Paul, event producer, agreed to add $30,000 prize money to the event to attract the best, make that very best bull riders in the world to Del Rio. Every dollar won at the 41st George Paul Memorial Bull Riding counts for a top fifteen qualification for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December and a PRCA bull riding world championship. With 8 million dollars at stake for the ten day December event, the best bull riders in the world will want to enter the 41st George Paul as well as up and comers in the bull riding ranks.

Rafter G Rodeo Company under the direction of Neal and Jim Gay will be the lead stock contractor of four for the event. Rafter G Rodeo brought professional rodeo to TV when they produced the weekly Mesquite Championship Rodeo and rodeo Production Company has been in the business over 60 years.

Fred Boettcher, Administrator of the Xtreme Bulls Tour and PRCA Bull Riding Director Cody Whitney are expected to be in attendance for the event due to the “home coming” nature of the event and its importance in the PRCA bull riding scheme.

Title sponsor Ram Country Del Rio and Ram Rodeo Series are back for their 22nd year and Ram Rodeo Series is a national sponsor of the PRCA. Presenting sponsor is the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Others include Bud Light, Tractor Supply, Ramada Inn as the host hotel, Studio 6 and The Whitehorse Lounge.

The event will be streamed on ProRodeoTV.com adding nationwide and international recognition for the event, Del Rio and Val Verde County.

$30,000 added money for the contestants will ensure the best bull riders in the world will be in Del Rio, April 27-28 for the 8PM nightly performances.

Tickets may be purchased at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office, 2006 N. Main at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds or by calling the bull riding office at 830-775-9595. Discover, Master Card, Visa and debit cards will be accepted.

Check out updates for the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding at www.georgepaulmemorialbullriding.com.

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XTREME EXCITEMENT SET FOR 41ST GEORGE PAUL MEMORIAL

APRIL 27-28, 2018

The 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding is back home with the PRCA and is now a PRCA XTREME BULLS TOUR event for 2018. Bobby Paul, event producer, is excited that the historic event is once again sanctioned by the organization where his brother, George Paul won an RCA world bull riding championship and National Finals Rodeo bull riding championship the same year, 1968. Additionally, George Paul set a record riding 79 consecutive bulls in competition, a world record never accomplished before or since being. Del Rio has the honor of producing the oldest continuous bull riding in the world and is the home of stand alone bull riding and is so recognized.

PRCA bull riders will have a chance to win points that count toward a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification and PRCA world championship for 2018. The WNFR pays over 8 million dollars in ten days in December and, is the world’s richest paying rodeo. It is considered the Super Bowl of professional rodeo and the WNFR is older than the Super Bowl.

Famed Rafter G Rodeo Company, Terrell, Texas, owned by storied rodeo stock contractor Neal and Jim Gay are the lead stock contractor with subcontractors from four additional PRCA rodeo companies. Wrangler National Finals bulls will be on hand along with PRCA world champions and WNFR qualifiers. Forty bull riders will ride Friday night with 10 returning for a second bull during that performance. Saturday night will feature a second group of forty bull riders with 10 returning during the final section for a second bull. The highest score on two bulls from both nights will win the famed 41st George Paul Xtreme Bull Riding and the treasured buckle that signifies the 2018 champion. In addition, the high marked ride of the two-day event on one bull will win a George Paul High Ride buckle.

A rising star in the PRCA will hold the audience’s attention with his unique style of entertaining and informative announcing by the name of Anthony Lucia of Weatherford, Texas. Lucia announces some of the most prestigious rodeos in the sport of rodeo and bull riding from horse back and is a member of the famed Lucia rodeo family.

Cody Sosbee will entertain fans with his humorous routines, chatter and acts. Many will remember several years ago when he came dressed in a pink speedo with a rubber duckie rafter circling his waste and had audiences crying with laughter. Sosbee was the barrel man at the Wrangler National Finals this past December and has entertained crowds at famous rodeos which include the Cheyenne Frontier Days, the “Daddy of them All”.

Title sponsor Ram Country Del Rio and Ram Rodeo Series are back for their 22nd year and Ram is a national sponsor of the PRCA. Presenting sponsor is the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Others include Bud Light, Tractor Supply, Ramada Inn as the host hotel, Studio 6 and The Whitehorse Lounge.

The event will be streamed on ProRodeoTV.com adding nationwide and international recognition for the event, Del Rio and Val Verde County.

$30,000 added money for the contestants will ensure the best bull riders in the world will be in Del Rio, April 27-28 for the 8PM nightly performances.

Tickets may be purchased at the 41st George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office, 2006 N. Main at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds or by calling the bull riding office at 830-775-9595. Discover, Mastercard, Visa and debit cards will be accepted.

Check out updates for the 41st George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding at www.georgepaulmemorialbullriding.com.

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04.30.2017

Benton Takes Place in History winning third George Paul Memorial Bull Riding title

40th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding presented by Ram Truck

DEL RIO, Texas - April 29, 2017 – Trey Benton III, of Rock Island, Texas rode into the George Paul Memorial history books as the third man to win the legendary bull riding event three times. Benton won his first GPMBR in 2013 and again in 2014 before battling a series of career ending injuries that would sideline his career until last month when he returned to the CBR Road to Cheyenne.

“I had to believe in myself when no one else believed in me, the past two years were kind of rough on me, I have been down a long road for twenty-five years old. I learned how to lose and for a winner to lose it was difficult,” said the humbled bull rider who is a graduate of Sam Houston State in Huntsville.

Benton rode all three of his bulls including a 93 point ride in the final four Shoot Out round on Dirty Blonde a bull owned by Rhon Brown.

“I try to keep it as simple as possible and I have a plan everywhere I go, it feels like I’m at home here, I am a south Texas bull rider doing what I love, here in South Texas. The fans here are amazing and they love the sport, and ask any rider, that really makes a difference.”

“There is something about this event that is so special to me, if you know anything about bull riding history you know about Charlie Sampson and Tuff Hedeman and I am just proud to be able to stand alongside them in that way,” continued Benton.

Benton who has strong bull riding roots here in Del Rio where Mack Altizer from Bad Company Rodeo, is a life-long friend and he credits Altizer with putting him on quality stock at 14 years old.

“Mr. Mack, he is a big part of why I am standing here today with my third George Paul buckle,” said the bull rider who returned to CBR competition earlier this month qualifying for the final four man round at his first comeback event.

Round One

Thirteen riders heard the whistle in round one with several former George Paul winners in and behind the chutes. John Ash, the 1998 GPMBR winner returned to Del Rio to watch his son Demond Haynes take a shot at the Super Bull title. But after 29 outs, it was the rookie, Braeden Richardson of Jasper, Texas, who won the round with a 90.5 ride on 059 Boomer (Elite). Richardson had a great first trip to Del Rio finishing second on night one of the GPMBR.

Wrangler NFR qualifier Joe Frost kept pace and finished right behind him with 89 points on 3728 Yellowhair (Hurst).Benton was third in the round riding 277 Dirty Little Secret (Harris).

“That first bull felt perfect, my goal is always to stay in the middle, and he let me,” said Benton.

Five time World Champion Sage Kimzey turned in 86 points before stepping off 128 Uptown Funk, a bull he had never ridden but seen on tour for years. Cody Jesus and Hector Cardona turned in a pair of 88’s and Australia native Ben Jones was 87. Ramagos, Radley and Melancon completed the round with scores to advance as did Boudreaux Campbell who advanced with an 82.5 on Bad JuJu (Team Whisnant).

Semifinal Round

With a new Ram truck and $40,000 waiting on the bull team winner, the bulls powered advanced right alongside the top twelve qualified rides in the CBR’s tournament style format. Campbell riding again as the number one gunner in the round set the pace with an 87.5 on Rawson’s Louisville Slugger. He would watch the next four riders, including five time World Champion Sage Kimzey, buck off. But it was Lyndal Hurst’s 243 Breaking Bad bull who wowed the bull savvy crowd sending Jeffery Ramagos to the dirt in 1.99 seconds.

But before Benton could make his second attempt of the night, thirty eight year old Australian native Ben Jones returned to victory lane riding CBR’s 2016 bull of the year Cowtown Cartel for 88.5 points.

Benton would be the third and only other qualified ride of the round easily riding JC Knapp’s 276 Midnight Tequila for 87 points.

“The only thing I was thinking at this point was to stay on, if I over think it never works out,” laughed Benton.

Shoot Out Round

Jones was 175.5 on two which put him in the driver’s seat on bull selection. Benton was second with 175 Campbell was 170 on two and in third place thus far. The fourth and final seat in the Shoot Out would go to Braeden Richardson who advanced on his round one score of 90.5. With bull guru Sage Kimzey not qualifying for the final round, the remaining bull riders took advantage of his vast experience in picking the winning ride and Kimzey would be correct in his consultation.

Jones selected Crimson King (Melton), Benton quickly took the bull he and Kimzey thought was the path to success, 3112 Dirty Blonde from Rhon Brown. Rookie Boudreaux Campbell was confident he could ride the Jaynes bull he had been on in the past, EG 3034 Fraueline, which would leave Richardson matched up and left with the bull Rhon Brown calls the Bone Crusher.

Richardson in his first final four appearance would come down early, but the rookie sensation Boudreaux Campbell once again stepped up and set the pace with a 90 point ride on Fraueline. The crowd would not see Jones dance again as he would come down early off the big bucker, Crimson King.

From the first jump of Benton’s championship ride he was locked in the middle where 8 seconds later he was rewarded with the highest score of the night, 93 points.

“I was not going to get put down again after Fort Worth, it’s 90 percent mental and 10 percent athletics,” said Benton to the reporters while the crowd and fans were lining up for his autograph as the 2017 GPMBR Champion.

“That bull was my pick so it worked out for me,” said the champ who won not only his third GPMBR title but maybe more important than the prizes, the genuine South Texas bull rider won back his piece of mind… knowing and proving he is still a winner.

Bull Team Competition

Less than two points separated the top four teams winning money at the “super pot for the super bulls” created this year to celebrate the 40th GPMBR. On the other side of the chutes the competition was fierce with $90,000 payout, a new Ram Truck, and a custom Juan Munoz Andrade saddle on the line. With a narrow margin of .21 points, Jerilyn Harmon and former bull riding champion Mike White triumphed with one ride score and two rank bull scores totally 281.62.

“Boomer really anchored our team tonight with the 90.5 score with Braiden in round one, but as usual Karaoke provided the assist with a rank bull score from the semifinal round,” said White who knew how tight the competition was all night and gave all the credit to Harmon's four legged athletes.

“You know Karaoke has been a great bull from a two year old and always a winner, he proved that again tonight. I pulled him off breeding cows a few weeks ago and bucked him that night in Fort Worth and he was the high marked bull – happened the same this weekend. I pulled Boomer off cows yesterday to make the trip to Del Rio. They love their job and tonight just proves it.”

“Bet on Black was my third bull and is a really good bull, he’s just a three year old, but he hit his hip tonight and it worried me he would not be as good as he drifted just a little before he turned back,” said Mike White who lines up the buckers and partners with Jerilyn Harmon’s Elite Bull teams.

In second place was Burleson and Barnett with two qualified ride scores for their hard earned 281.41 points and the second place check of $24,000. Hurst Pro Rodeo took home $16,000 for third with The Jaynes Gang sliding in fourth for $10,000.

Bull of the Event honors went to Billy Jaynes’s Chaos Ghost who brought Kimzey down in round two with a rank bull score of 91 points from the four judge system. Lyndal Hurst’s Breaking Bad was also 91 points.

Champion Bull was Dirty Blonde who posted 93 points in the high marked ride column to provide the assist to Benton for the win.

World Standings Race

The Super bull has once again provided drama and impacting the backdrop of the CBR’s World Title race. Kimzey arrived in Del Rio 180.5 points ahead of Number two ranked Eli Vastbinder. Kimzey added one score, 86 points from round one, to remain in the CBR lead by 266.5 points or three bulls. Vastbinder uncharacteristically bucked off in round one leaving the door open for Kimzey who rode just one in Del Rio. Third ranked Boudreaux Campbell finished the strongest of the top five riding all three to finish second and add three bulls to his year end point total and remain in third as he heads to his first CBR World Finals in July.